Where is Jamaica? Hurricane Melissa makes landfall as dangerous Cat. 5 hurricane

Hurricane Melissa made landfall Tuesday over Jamaica as a dangerous and powerful Category 5 hurricane – and one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

The NHC has warned of damaging winds, catastrophic flash flooding, and life-threatening storm surge.

Where is Jamaica?

Jamaica is located in the center of the Caribbean, surrounded by Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica. The island is 146 miles long and around 51 miles wide.

The capital of Jamaica is Kingston.

Other popular areas include Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, and South Coast. 

Jamaica is roughly a 105-minute flight (an hour and a half) from Miami and a two-hour flight from Orlando.

7 areas evacuated for Hurricane Melissa

The Government of Jamaica issued a Disaster Risk Management (Hurricane Melissa) Evacuation Order, 2025 on Oct. 24 to evacuate seven areas, including: 

• Port Royal, Kingston
• Portland Cottage, Clarendon
• Rocky Point, Clarendon
• Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine
• Taylor Land, Bull Bay, St. Andrew
• New Haven, St. Andrew
• Riverton City, St. Andrew

Jamaica’s climate

Jamaica is known for its tropical climate – with two rainy seasons from May to November and a dry period from December to April. 

Has a hurricane hit Jamaica before?

Hurricane Melissa will be the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica. Despite this, Jamaica has a history of destructive hurricanes, FOX Weather reported. Hurricane Beryl narrowly missed the island in 2024, with the center of the Category 4 storm hitting 20 miles south of Jamaica. 

Hurricane Sandy – a Category 1 at the time it was near Jamaica – made landfall in 2012. Hurricane Gilbert – in 1988 – was the most destructive hurricane to Jamaica in history – delivering $2.5 billion in damages, FOX Weather said. 

History of Jamaica

Jamaica – with its mix of culture and language – is heavily influenced by its history and people living there. 

The country reached independence from slavery in 1838 and celebrates its Emancipation Day every August 1. The country also celebrates being an independent nation from British rule in 1962 by flying its black, green and gold flag.

People living in Jamaica speak English and Jamaican – also known as Patois – a dialect shaped by African, Spanish, French, Portuguese and English, Visit Jamaica said. Known for its cuisine, Jamaica is a mix of cultures – which heavily influences its food.             

Music, food and culture

Steeped in rich culinary traditions, food staples in Jamaica include jerk chicken, curried goat, Jamaican black cake – also known as rum cake – and rice and peas. At festivals, an assortment of beef patties and fried plantains are also common, Jamaican Kitchen, which has several restaurants throughout Connecticut, said on its website. 

Chef and Founder of Negril Jamaican Restaurant in Orlando said his recipes were passed down by generations – flavoring meals in fresh herbs and Jamaican spices. 

Multiple music styles, including reggae, ska, mentor, rocksteady and dub, orginated from Jamaica. 

Notable people from Jamaica

From reggae musician Bob Marley to the fastest man on Earth – eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt – Jamaica is the birthplace of several notable people in history. 

Bolt re-posted information from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management in Kingston before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on the island. He also posted praying hands with forecasts of Hurricane Melissa. 

Other notable figures from Jamaica include musician Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican-American rapper Sandra "Pepa" Denton – one-half of the hip-hop duo Salt-N-Pepa – footballer Ricardo Fuller and cricket player Chris Gayle. 

Weather